Device for eliminating fence gate sagging and method therein

ABSTRACT

A device and method for eliminating fence gate sagging having an inferior bracket attached to a portion of the gate, a superior bracket attached to a portion of the gate, and a tension rod in mechanical communication therebetween, wherein said tension rod is adjustable to create tension and thus urge said portions of said gate toward each other.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a device for fence gate maintenance and more particularly to a device for eliminating fence gate sagging and method thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people install a wooden privacy fence at their home or place of business to enjoy their backyard or green space with privacy from the outside world. While there are many advantages of choosing a wooden privacy fence over other types, there is a problem that can arise after installation that becomes an inconvenience and annoyance over time. Most wooden privacy fences have one or more gates installed during construction. Gates give access to the backyard or green space from the outside without having to enter the privacy area via a house or building the fence is typically associated with.

To maintain the aesthetic look of the privacy fence, the gate, like the fence, is constructed of wood. Wooden gates are typically heavy and over time can cause strain on the hinges. As time passes, the heavy load placed on the hinges cause the hinges to become weak and the free end of the gate typically begins to sag. After enough time, the sagging gate can eventually begin to scrap and drag the ground as it is opened and closed. The scraping and dragging of the gate on the ground causes wear and tear to the gate and the landscape the gate is affecting. Increased damage to the gate both at the hinges and where it scrapes the ground reduces the life expectancy of the gate and the strained hinges. A device that can reduce or eliminate gate sagging as seen with wooden privacy fences would provide consumers a means of protecting their investment and increase the life expectancy of their fence gates.

As such, it is clear that there is an unmet need for a device for eliminating fence gate sagging and method therein which provides an alternative to consumers whereby the device maintains the integrity of the fence gate eliminating the gate from sagging. Thus, reducing wear and tear on the fence gate itself and the landscape associated with the gate. The decreased wear and tear to the fence gate will increase the longevity of the gate and help protect the consumer's investment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the device for eliminating fence gate sagging and method therein of the present disclosure overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a device for eliminating fence gate sagging and method therein having an inferior bracket, tension rod, and superior L bracket.

More specifically, the inferior bracket preferably is secured to the diagonal support beam on the fence gate via a screw bolt. The superior L bracket preferably is secured to the top support beam on the fence gate via a screw bolt. The tension rod preferably hooks to the superior L bracket with an S-shaped hook located at the top end of the tension rod, and the tension rod preferably attaches to the inferior bracket via the threaded end of the rod and a hex nut. Tension can be applied to the tension rod by tightening the hex nut causing the top support beam to pull the diagonal support beam closer to the top support beam. Increasing the tension will pull the free end of the fence gate off the ground reducing the gate's sagging and dragging on the ground. Pulling the free end of the gate off the ground will reduce wear and tear on the fence gate and reduce the strain on the gate hinges protecting the gate from further damage and need of future replacement or repair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Accordingly, the present disclosure will be understood best through consideration of, and with reference to, the following drawing Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of the device for eliminating fence gate sagging and method therein shown attached to a fence for functional use;

FIG. 2 is a view of the inferior bracket that attaches the diagonal support beam of the fence gate of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of superior L bracket that attaches the top support beam of the fence gate of the device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a view of the inferior bracket and superior L bracket that attaches to the fence gate of the device of FIG. 1;

It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In describing preferred embodiment of the device for eliminating fence gate sagging and method therein of the present invention illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The claimed invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the device for eliminating fence gate sagging and method therein 10 preferably comprises inferior bracket 20, tension rod 40, and superior L bracket 60.

Shown in FIG. 2, inferior bracket 20 preferably comprises top 22, bottom 24, screw port 26, angled curve 28, L shaped curve 30, and tension rod port 32. The bottom end of bottom 24 of inferior bracket 20 preferably interfaces with the diagonal support beam of the fence gate. A screw is preferably drilled into the diagonal support beam through screw port 26 of inferior bracket 20 securing inferior bracket 20 to the diagonal support beam. About one third the length of inferior bracket 20 from screw port 26 is preferably angled curve 28 in inferior bracket 20 that angles the remaining length of inferior bracket 20 away from the fence allowing space for manipulation of the hex nut associated with tension rod 40. At or near the end of inferior bracket 20 there is preferably L angled curve 30 such that inferior bracket 20 can interact with tension rod 40. At the distal end of inferior bracket 20 there is preferably tension rod port 32 that allow passage of tension rod 40 from top 22 to bottom 24 of inferior bracket 20.

As seen in FIG. 1, tension rod 40 preferably comprises screw pattern end 42, hex nut 44, smooth rod portion 46, and S-curve end 48. Screw pattern end 42 of tension rod 40 preferably inserts through tension rod port 32 into bottom 24 of inferior bracket 20 and maintains preferably half the length of tension rod 40. Hex nut 44 preferably fastens to screw pattern end 42 on bottom 24 of inferior bracket 20. After tension rod 40 is hooked to superior L bracket 60, hex nut 44 can preferably be tightened as needed to raise the free end of the fence gate and eliminate sagging. Smooth rod portion 46 of tension rod 40 maintains preferably the last half of tension rod 40. At the end of smooth rod portion 46, tension rod 40 becomes S-curved end 48. S-curved end 48 is preferably designed to hook to superior L bracket 60 on the top support beam of the fence gate.

Shown in FIG. 3, superior L bracket 60 preferably comprises interior 62, exterior 64, screw port 66, L angle 68, and tension rod port 70. Superior L bracket 60 is preferably oriented to top support beam such that interior 62 is closer to the open end of the fence gate and such that exterior 64 is closer to the hinged end of the fence gate. A screw is preferably drilled into the distal end of top support beam through screw port 66 from interior 62 side of superior L bracket 60 securing superior L bracket 60 to the top support beam. Furthermore, superior L bracket 60 is oriented such that interior 62 of superior L bracket 60 is closer to the open end of the fence gate as described above. At preferably half the length of superior L bracket 60, L angle 68 extends superior L bracket downward toward tension rod 40. At the bottom end of superior L bracket 60, tension rod port 70 interacts with S-curved end 48 of tension rod 40 allowing attachment of tension rod 40 to superior L bracket 60. Using S-curved end 48 tension rod 40 preferably hooks to superior L bracket 60.

Once the device for eliminating fence gate sagging is constructed as described above, the device is operational. Twisting hex nut 44 clockwise will tighten hex nut 44 drawing the diagonal support beam and fence gate attached to the diagonal support beam off the ground at the open end in the vertical direction. Tightening of the hex nut 44 will preferably result in a reduction of fence gate sagging and dragging of the fence on the ground. Once the open end of the fence has be raised to the consumers desired position the device will maintain the fence's position eliminating the fence from sagging and eliminating the wear and tear due to fence sagging. 

1. A device for reducing the sag of a fence gate, comprising: a first attaching means carried by a portion of the gate; a second attaching means carried by a portion of the gate; and an adjustable arm means in mechanical communication with said first attaching means and said second attaching means, wherein said adjustable arm means is adjustable to urge said first attaching means and said second attaching means toward each other.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said first attaching means is a bracket.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein said bracket is an L-shaped bracket.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said second attaching means is a bracket.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said bracket is an L-shaped bracket.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein said adjustable arm means is a rod.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein said rod is an elongated rod having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is hook-shaped and is in mechanical communication with said first attaching means and wherein said second end is in mechanical communication with said second attaching means, and wherein said second end is threaded to allow a bolt to be rotated thereabout to urge said first attaching means and said second attaching means toward each other.
 8. A device for reducing the sag of a fence gate, comprising: a first L-shaped bracket carried by a portion of the gate; a second L-shaped bracket carried by a portion of the gate; and an adjustable arm means in mechanical communication with said first attaching means and said second attaching means, wherein said adjustable arm means is adjustable to urge said first attaching means and said second attaching means toward each other.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein said adjustable arm means is a rod.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein said rod is an elongated rod having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is hook-shaped and is in mechanical communication with said first attaching means and wherein said second end is in mechanical communication with said second attaching means, and wherein said second end is threaded to allow a bolt to be rotated thereabout to urge said first attaching means and said second attaching means toward each other.
 11. A method for reducing the sag of a fence gate, comprising the steps of: a. attaching a first bracket to a first portion of a gate; b. attaching a second bracket to a second portion of a gate; c. mechanically connecting said first bracket with said second bracket via an adjustable arm; wherein said adjustable arm is adjustable to create tension between said first bracket and said second bracket. 